UNITY WITH SELF-GOVERNMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1926, Page 7

UNITY WITH SELF-GOVERNMENT

EVERY DOMINION MASTER OF ITS FATE HAPPY OUTCOME OF THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INTER-EMPIRE RELATIONS (Press Association—Copyright.) London, Nov. 21. “Every Dominion is now a self-governing member of the Empire and master of its destiny.” This sentence in the report of the iilter-Imperial Relations Committee yesterday sets an eloquent seal on the Imperial Conference of 1926. Not that it proclaims a new doctrine; its significance lies in the simple statement of fact and the further fact that the doctrine enunciated permeates the whole report.

London, Nov. 21. “Every Dominion Is now master of its destiny”; how much so will be realised upon a close study of the report, which acknowledges that the Empire defiles classification an/ semblance to any other political organisation which now exists or has ever yet been tried.” The report affirms that the Dominions “are autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in status and in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by common allegiance to the Crown and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations." The report proceeds: “Free institutions are the Empire life blood; cooperation is its instrument; peace, security and progress are among its objects. The aspects of all these great themes have been discussed at the present conference and excellent results thereby attained, and, though every Dominion is now and must always remain the sole judge of the nature and extent of its co-operation, no cause will, in our opinion, he imperilled by equality of status so far as Britain and the Dominions are concerned. It is thus the root principle governing our Imperial relations.” It will be gathered that a master hand was employed in drafting the report and that the brain, used rarely blit always effectively, was that of Earl Balfour, but equally it should be understood that the report was subjected to revision and finally endorsed unanimously by- all the Prime Ministers, anl presented to the world, which already, so far as the press reflects its opinion, has recognised it as an historic document. TITLE OF THE KING. Naturally, attention here has been attracted by the change of the King’s title, recalling Disraeli’s proffering of “Empress of India” to Queen Victoria. So deeply is Royalty and its titles interwoven into English life that the mere suggestion of a change of title stirs the imagination. Nevertheless, the new emphasis placed upon Empire unity overtops all other aspects of the report. It is safe to forecast that Englishmen will wake up to-morrow to a new consciousness of a, glorious inheritance shared by far distant lands, for let there be no doubt that the report creates a new orientation and the. Empire realises to-day its power and potentialities no less than Rome did in. the days of Augustus Caesar, With this report, restrained yet eloquent, the Empire awakens into a new consciousness of dignity and strength. This is reflected, not only in the document itself, but also in the treatment thereof by the press. The spontaneous and, without exception, delicate manner in which the constitutional difficulties are handled is realised everywhere; The distinction in the relationship of King to the Governor-General, and the Home to the Dominion Governments, as foreshadowed in a cable yesterday, is recognised as wisely drawn and. certain to facilitate inter-imperial relations. Gov-emors-General will henceforth represent the King; as Sovereign, but not the British Government or any British Department of State. POSITION OF. TREATIES. Similarly, the position has been cleared ujj regarding treaties. In future, if any treaty is made in the name of the King, the British units on behalf of which the treaty is signed will be grouped in the following order: Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and all parts of the Empire which are not separate members of the League; Canada, Australia, New. Zealand, South Africa, Irish Free State and India. The Observer sums up its opinion by saying that the report makes this year’s meeting historic. Mr. S. M. Bruce, interviewed by the Sunday, Express, said that the report was a joint production, but expressed his view. The Sunday Times says; “The old conception of Britain as the parent* nation or the globe round which the satellite Dominions revolved is finally swept away.” The newspapers generally approve the Imperial Relations report, the Daily Herald alone characterising it as a masterpiece of evasion which lias produced a few high-sounding phrases and advised changes in formulae but has avoided every real problem which arises from the present anomalous relations between Great Britain and the Dominions. The Herald comments: “It is ludicrous that the committee feared to tackle such a question as that of appeals to the Privy Connell.” The Daily Express says the report leaves the position regarding Imperial relations much as before, "but this, is the best thing that could happen. The country will welcome the negative results. because .it realises the. seemingly paradoxical truth. that the more loosely knit the British Empire is, the more securely arc the parts bound together.”

LONDON PRESS COMMENT. COURAGEOUS AND INGENIOUS. Received Nov. 22, 9.15 p.m. London, Nov. 22. The Times, referring to the Imperial Conference, says: "Members of the present Conference unquestionably regard it as an unusual success. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other peoples of the Empire have grown to nationhood under different impulses. There is hardly a common denominator. If then the Prime Ministers of so many heterogeneous communities are really satisfied, that is far more important than their signatures to any single document. "The report on inter-Imperial relations is courageous, ingenious and comprehensive, but it is a register of existing conditions rati/.- than a programme for .the future. Wisely, it makes no attempt to recommend uniformity.” The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says it is surprising that there is no reference to direct representation on the council of the League of Nations.” AMERICAN PRESS COMMENT. A JUDICIAL AGREEMENT. Received Nov. 22, 9.15 p.m. New York, Nov. 21. The Imperial Conference report, which is arousing great interest throughout America, is being prominently displayed in niost of the newspapers. It also calls forth much editorial comment. The Boston Herald says: “Now the members of the British Commonwealth of Nations know what they are, and happy will be the whole of that Commonwealth if every member remains faithful to this judicious agreement.” The New York Times, pointing out that the Dominions are necessarily to some extent conducting foreign relations, says this has been done already in the ease of Canada and may yet be done in a similar fashion with Australia and South Africa, The journal concludes: “A close inspection shows that Jittie is proposed except to make the old Empire move easily in a new world. There are no hard and fast rules about the Empire. That is one reason why it emerges from crisis after crisis stronger than ever.” The New York World says: “To Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand this is a charter of nationhood.” The Chicago Tribune comments only upon the cinematograph discussions at the Conference and remarks: "Members apparently were afraid of our movies.” In aii interview with the New York Times, Mr. Eric Leuw, Trade Commissioner for South Africa, says: "The Imperial Conference report is largely due to General Hertzog, of course aided by the other Prime Ministers, but I believe I am safe in saying that if he had not gone to London the report would not have been made.”, Mr. Leuw added: “The idea of a common kingship uniting the Dominions with Great Britain is also in accordance ■ with General Hertzog’s ideas. The tie (that binds the Dominions is the King. We are ruled by the King and not by the British Government. I cannot, of course, tell how foreign Governments will receive the declarations in the report, but I believe they will make a considerable difference in the relations between foreign Governments and the Dominions.” Mr. Leuw also observed that General Hertzog’s position had been formerly somewhat misunderstood, but he leaves the Conference with his prestige much enhanced. OPINIONS IN GERMANY. BRITISH LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Received Nov. 22, 8 p.m. Berlin, Nov. 22. gie Press gives the greatest prominence to the Britiak Imperial Conference report. ‘ - - The Vissische Zeiiung says: “It reeonstruets the Empire as a veritable league of nations, and is a victory for the Federalist standpoint as maintained in Ireland and South Africa. It virtually secures the continued existence of the Empire. Governors-General will cease to be the mere mail-carriers of the Colonial Office.” The paper adds that the change “may be made with a view to reserving Governorships for members of the Royal Family.”